Siouxland donates more than $250,000 to support members of the USS Sioux City, and their families

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – More than $250,000 has been donated by the people of Siouxland to support educational opportunities for members of the USS Sioux City’s crew, and their families.

Today, the sponsor of the USS Sioux City Mary Winnefeld, and the Commissioning Committee Chairman Admiral Frank Thorp, presented the check to representatives of the Siouxland Community Foundation at City Hall.

The money will go to the USS Sioux City’s “Legacy Fund”.

The fund is designed to pay for scholarships for the USS Sioux City’s crew, and their families.

“It just shows the warmth and you know as the sponsor of a ship I’m supposed to imbue spirit throughout the life of the ship and I couldn’t be more proud then to have and more appreciative of the people of Sioux City helping me guide her,” said Mary Winnefeld, USS Sioux City Sponsor.

Winnefeld adds that the money is great, but the support the people of Sioux City have shown the USS Sioux City crew is even greater.

“Most of us want our kids to have it better than we did so if we can help them with an education and get them one step one step further than maybe we had a shot at, its exciting,” said Thomas Perkins, USS Sioux City LCS 11 Gold Command Master Chief.

A local board of directors, and the ship’s sponsor, will receive all the applications for the scholarship funds.

The “Legacy Fund” is designed to last the entire life of the USS Sioux City, which is roughly 30 years.